Drone raids could come from base in Qatar

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Unmanned Predators and larger Reaper drones might be the weapon of choice

Michael Evans

Published at 12:02AM, June 14 2014

The US military has a mass of firepower in at least five countries within reach of Iraq, with armed Predator drones, F-16s and surveillance aircraft.

US F-16s at Incirlik in southern Turkey would be infinitely more potent than Predators. However, with President Obama’s reluctance to put US servicemen in danger in Iraq, the unmanned Predators and larger Reaper drones, might be the weapon of choice.

Drones represent a much less risky means of intervening — and a full air assault would require Congressional approval. However, drones are lightly armed and much less effective at trying to stop an army.